Fluted Headlight lenses?

[fourfords]

When did Ford stop using fluted headlight lenses?

Thanks,

-Dirk

[Gary WA]

1928 thru Feb 1929,and Late 1927

[Joe K]

The development of "twolite" headlights was the end of the earlier (fluted) "Type H" headlights.

Twolite allowed the use of "parking lights" which caused changes in the wiring harness (i.e. a third wire to each headlight), the bottom of the steering column switch (extra position for "Park"), and the plugs & appurtences of connection. (Two contacts v. three connecting to the headlight shell.)

My truck (avatar) was March 29, 1929 and it originally was fitted with Type H headlights and a drum tail-light. The former owner in expediency converted everything over to Twolite (his other Model A was a 1931 Roadster.) I have reverted everything "back."

The truck line kind of got the obsoleted "leftovers" from changes in the car line.

Joe K

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by fourfords

When did Ford stop using fluted headlight lenses?

Thanks,

-Dirk

The TwoLite system was rolled out starting in Feb. 1929, so that's when the fluted lenses started to go away. I have seen flutes on cars made as late as March 1929.

It seems to me like the drum-style tail light is often found with the fluted headlight lenses, but the Restoration Guidelines don't say that they are linked.

[Brad in Germany]

Starting in May of 1930, all Ford Model A's that were assembled in France, came standard with Marchal headlights. Those Marchal headlights included completely clear, flat glass lenses. That was so that Ford Model A's would be in compliance with the new standard road code for lighting, which forbad any fluting in the headlight lenses, because fluted headlights supposedly blinded oncoming cars.



All road vehicles in France had until the end of December 1930 to come into compliance to that new road code for vehicle lighting, after which time fluted headlights would be forbidden.

Hope that answers your question about the headlight fluting.....at least for Ford Model A's that were assembled in France.

Brad in Maryland

[updraught]

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I think I read that with the depression hitting, France upped the required local content. We also had strange rules to do with window glass etc. to make it harder to import vehicles, up until fairly recent times.

I'm a big fan of Marchal. Their reflectors on their big rally lights could create a perfect pencil beam for what seemed to go for miles, and set fire to koalas in the trees.

[Joe K]

France upped the required local content.

Interesting concept. Not apparently being taught in US business schools.

Joe K

[Gene F]

My 28 has the original lenses, and I think they look cool.

[Fullraceflathead]

I also find the 1928 fluted lenses very nice looking on a model A.

[Canton_Model_A's]

I installed the 1929 Fluted lenses on mine, still awaiting the warm day to do the wiring harness to light 'em up. but they work and a heck of a lot better than those Sealed Beam ones that made her look like her eyes were bulging out of their sockets.